Director of NC State University Libraries Susan Nutter plans to retire on Oct. 1, after serving 30 years in her position.
Nutter has been instrumental in the creation of Hunt Library, as well as the implementation of various improvements to the campus library system since joining in 1987, including the Tripsaver system, computer networking and various aesthetic changes. In bringing NCSU Libraries to its current prominence, Nutter has competed with neighboring libraries at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill. Nutter takes pride in promoting unpopular ideas to improve the library system’s utility and appeal.
Technician met with Nutter in D.H. Hill Library to learn about her perspective on her time as director of libraries.
How did you first get connected to NC State?
I first learned about NC State when I came to North Carolina on fellowship. I spent a year at UNC following the director of libraries. I was in a program that was in a fast track for directors of research libraries. Truth be told, I never thought that I was going to be a director. I was a better person behind the throng, making other people look good.
What convinced you that you should be working at NC State?
A retired chancellor of NC State, John Caldwell, was on sabbatical and at one of our meetings of the Triangle libraries. He picked me out — every time that I was over, he would sit with me and have lunch, invite me over to see State students. Then, I really noticed the difference between UNC, Duke and State students. I found a groundedness in NC State students and a sincerity and service orientation … just really nice, but also smart kids. I knew what a struggle the university had providing a good library, so I started thinking, ‘I would love to go there and give the students a real competitive advantage.’
Can you describe D.H. Hill Library’s appearance when you became director in 1987?
We were the 13th ugliest campus in the United States, according to the Princeton Review. The library looked like a correctional institution library; I don’t know how else to say it. The furniture was original, was all battered oak. There wasn’t a lot of natural light; there were bars on the windows on the ground floor; and it was tight. I started meeting with students, and I knew that they wanted something better. With faculty, I knew that they wanted research journals.
What have you enjoyed doing outside of being director of libraries?
I love learning. I try to read literature across the board because many more ideas come together. I love making things happen. Probably, it’s people that bring me the greatest joy.
How were you involved in Hunt Library’s conception?
In the late ‘80s, Centennial Campus was on the drawing board. I thought a library out there would transform the place, so the provost said to go see the dean of engineering and vice chancellor of research. They looked at me like ‘Do you know what it’s costing us every year to build Centennial Campus? This just can’t happen.’ That started a great relationship because the dean of engineering became chancellor and the vice chancellor became provost. I spent a lot of time talking to different people and groups, but I had to have a vision that they could embrace.
In the early ‘90s, how were you involved in bringing public computers into D.H. Hill?
Having been at MIT where a lot of the early computer work was done, I knew what was coming … the internet only existed as a scientific network then. We needed to have computers throughout the library, so we started doing that. There were a lot of people that thought that I was crazy: there was one time where there was a message on every library printer saying that I was wasting State’s money. I went to the vice chancellor of information technology and said, ‘I want to network the library,’ and he just laughed … He didn’t want to do it, but he said he would do it for me.
What professional advice would you give to students and faculty from your time as director of libraries?
It really does pay to do what your users want. They’re the ones footing the bills; they know what they need. But people don’t often do that. It’s hard to step out of your thinking and think, ‘we can find a way.’
What do you see yourself doing in the coming months and after your retirement?
I don’t know what I’m going to do. I just know that it’s time and you have to let new people with new ideas come into our organization. It breaks my heart … I will probably come over here and eat my lunch in the Brickyard so that I can see students, but I can’t hang around here and drive everyone crazy.
